Portland, OR bus mall construction
Oct 24th, 2006, 04:02 PM
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Portland, OR bus mall construction
We have recieved lots of help here regarding our trip in August 2007. Several posters mentioned construction which will impact 5th & 6th Avenues in the next couple of years.
Our first choice for a Portland hotel was the 5th Avenue Suites, obviously, not a good choice next year.
I've googled the construction project and got lots of good information. My problem occurs when I try to take these colored grids and superimpose them on my Fodor's Pacific Northwest book hotel map. The grids and dots become confusing. It is difficult to determine if the hotels which seem to be on Broadway are in the construction zone.
Scarlett has mentioned the Paramount and they tell us they are not affected. We are trying to determine if the Heathman, Lucia and Vintage Plaza are in the construction zone.
Can anyone familiar with these properties help us decide? Thanks.
Judy
Our first choice for a Portland hotel was the 5th Avenue Suites, obviously, not a good choice next year.
I've googled the construction project and got lots of good information. My problem occurs when I try to take these colored grids and superimpose them on my Fodor's Pacific Northwest book hotel map. The grids and dots become confusing. It is difficult to determine if the hotels which seem to be on Broadway are in the construction zone.
Scarlett has mentioned the Paramount and they tell us they are not affected. We are trying to determine if the Heathman, Lucia and Vintage Plaza are in the construction zone.
Can anyone familiar with these properties help us decide? Thanks.
Judy
Oct 25th, 2006, 02:18 PM
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Hey Judy,
I'm not sure what construction grids you're looking at, but it appears to me that during construction, buses that now run on 5th and 6th will move to 3rd and 4th. Heathman, Lucia, and Vintage Plaza are all on Broadway, and shouldn't be directly impacted. But, having lived here when they originally built the "transit mall", I expect the whole of downtown will be indirectly impacted.
All three of Vintage Plaza, Lucia, and Heathman are nice. Heathman is old school elegant, Lucia contemporary, and Vintage Plaza I think fancies itself as european-style boutique (but doesn't really pull it off).
What kind of place are you looking for? You could book Hotel deLuxe, and not have to worry at all about the construction. Not the same center of town location, but the Pearl, NW Portland, and downtown, are all a short walk away.
I'm not sure what construction grids you're looking at, but it appears to me that during construction, buses that now run on 5th and 6th will move to 3rd and 4th. Heathman, Lucia, and Vintage Plaza are all on Broadway, and shouldn't be directly impacted. But, having lived here when they originally built the "transit mall", I expect the whole of downtown will be indirectly impacted.
All three of Vintage Plaza, Lucia, and Heathman are nice. Heathman is old school elegant, Lucia contemporary, and Vintage Plaza I think fancies itself as european-style boutique (but doesn't really pull it off).
What kind of place are you looking for? You could book Hotel deLuxe, and not have to worry at all about the construction. Not the same center of town location, but the Pearl, NW Portland, and downtown, are all a short walk away.
Oct 25th, 2006, 02:32 PM
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There is no construction right on Broadway these days, but beachbum is probably correct is saying the entire downtown is/will be affected by this construction, especially next summer.
You could try staying in another part of the city. There's a few hotels down near Riverplace. A few of the board regulars (who have actually stayed there...I haven't, since I live here) can tell you more about that. Scarlett?
You could try staying in another part of the city. There's a few hotels down near Riverplace. A few of the board regulars (who have actually stayed there...I haven't, since I live here) can tell you more about that. Scarlett?
Oct 25th, 2006, 02:43 PM
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<<A few of the board regulars (who have actually stayed there...I haven't, since I live here) can tell you more about that.>>
Merseyheart! So does that make us board irregulars? :-?
There's at least one board (ir)regular who claims to have stayed at Riverplace. Maybe **she'll**
post. But I don't know if I'd head that direction because from there, you'd have to travel through the construction to get to most places you'd want to go.
Merseyheart! So does that make us board irregulars? :-?There's at least one board (ir)regular who claims to have stayed at Riverplace. Maybe **she'll**
post. But I don't know if I'd head that direction because from there, you'd have to travel through the construction to get to most places you'd want to go.
Oct 25th, 2006, 02:48 PM
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Thanks, Beachbum & Merseyheart, good point about looking elsewhere. If it weren't for this board, I wouldn't have known about the construction at all and had not even considered other areas. I'll have a look at the Hotel DeLuxe.
We've considered dropping off our car as we get to Portland. Can we get around without a vehicle from the DeLuxe and Riverplace areas?
We've considered dropping off our car as we get to Portland. Can we get around without a vehicle from the DeLuxe and Riverplace areas?
Oct 25th, 2006, 03:03 PM
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I would choose the DeLuxe over the Riverplace. The location is much better, IMO. Beachbum stayed there recently, so he can tell you first hand how it is.
The Paramount is in a good location, and while there is a ton of construction going on right outside of it currently, if that is done by the time you visit, that might be a good option for you.
The poster who has stayed at the Riverplace has posted that it has been years since staying there.
The Paramount is in a good location, and while there is a ton of construction going on right outside of it currently, if that is done by the time you visit, that might be a good option for you.
The poster who has stayed at the Riverplace has posted that it has been years since staying there.
Oct 25th, 2006, 03:24 PM
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What's on your agenda for Portland? You'll probably be fine without a car if it's the usual shopping, dining, gardens, bookstores, etc.
The streetcar line now terminates near the Riverplace, and MAX runs right by Hotel deLuxe (though you can't hear it), so assuming no disruption in service, you should be able to get around on mass transit from either hotel. But Hotel deLuxe is much more convenient it you prefer to walk. The Governor is another place to consider; also convenient to downtown, NW and the Pearl.
The streetcar line now terminates near the Riverplace, and MAX runs right by Hotel deLuxe (though you can't hear it), so assuming no disruption in service, you should be able to get around on mass transit from either hotel. But Hotel deLuxe is much more convenient it you prefer to walk. The Governor is another place to consider; also convenient to downtown, NW and the Pearl.
Oct 25th, 2006, 03:56 PM
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I have stayed at the Hilton downtown and enjoyed- also easy walk to downtown and waterfront. They have a very nice bar and restaurant on top with great views of the city
Another favorite is the Marriott on the waterfront - usually get great rates through the Visitors Assoc which include parking and breakfast .
On the funky side is the Inn at Northrup Station - away from downtown and close to the 23rd st shops - but close to great shopping, restaurants and public transportation. The Inn at Northup is rather retro - I liked the location though and we had a great room with small kitchette
Another favorite is the Marriott on the waterfront - usually get great rates through the Visitors Assoc which include parking and breakfast .
On the funky side is the Inn at Northrup Station - away from downtown and close to the 23rd st shops - but close to great shopping, restaurants and public transportation. The Inn at Northup is rather retro - I liked the location though and we had a great room with small kitchette
Oct 25th, 2006, 05:15 PM
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Maybe I'm a board irregular. I don't know. But I haven't actually stayed in any of the downtown Portland hotels, so let someone else recommend those.
I can tell you that Portland is easy to get around. We have a "fareless square"--most of downtown is free for all buses, the streetcar, and the lightrail (MAX). Also, our blocks are short. City blocks in Portland are 200 feet long, not 400 feet long. Keep that in mind for roaming around the city.
I can tell you that Portland is easy to get around. We have a "fareless square"--most of downtown is free for all buses, the streetcar, and the lightrail (MAX). Also, our blocks are short. City blocks in Portland are 200 feet long, not 400 feet long. Keep that in mind for roaming around the city.
Oct 25th, 2006, 05:26 PM
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Yes, the buses normally on 5th and 6th Avenues (collectively known as "The Bus Mall") will be mostly rerouted to 3rd and 4th Ave but some will also move up to 10th and 11th I think. Still, the point is: there will be a lot more traffic downtown on all streets, and getting to stuff near the bus mall may especially be a pain. They are right now doing construction on 4th downtown, and I had a frustrating experience last week around lunchtime waiting for a construction flagger on Salmon St. It's frustrating when you are in a hurry to have the traffic STOP with nothing you can do about it! I imagine this sort of thing will happen all over downtown in 2007 and 2008.
(Another reason not to have a car in Portland when visiting!)
The Riverplace area isn't served by buses but as mentioned the streetcar stop is close by (two blocks south of the Riverplace Hotel actually), and that takes you to the best of downtown, the Pearl, and NW. Plus Riverplace, being on the water, is kind of cool if you like that. Hotel DeLuxe (formerly the Mallory if you are looking for web info) is close to NW and the Pearl but the immediate area around it is not exciting, and the MAX stops are not right in front of the place even though MAX goes right by it. It's also not in fareless square, which Riverplace is.
I'd probably lean toward Riverplace in 2007, because construction going on there now will, I think be almost done by then, plus I like the water and the waterfront park. To me it's just a much nicer setting than the Hotel DeLuxe neighborhood, which is near PGE park and some very slightly grungy areas (e.g. W. Burnside).
Andrew
(Another reason not to have a car in Portland when visiting!)
The Riverplace area isn't served by buses but as mentioned the streetcar stop is close by (two blocks south of the Riverplace Hotel actually), and that takes you to the best of downtown, the Pearl, and NW. Plus Riverplace, being on the water, is kind of cool if you like that. Hotel DeLuxe (formerly the Mallory if you are looking for web info) is close to NW and the Pearl but the immediate area around it is not exciting, and the MAX stops are not right in front of the place even though MAX goes right by it. It's also not in fareless square, which Riverplace is.
I'd probably lean toward Riverplace in 2007, because construction going on there now will, I think be almost done by then, plus I like the water and the waterfront park. To me it's just a much nicer setting than the Hotel DeLuxe neighborhood, which is near PGE park and some very slightly grungy areas (e.g. W. Burnside).
Andrew
Oct 25th, 2006, 05:47 PM
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Greetings !
I live here and I have stayed at the 5th Ave Suites about a month in all. I love that hotel but with their own renovations starting soon, another hotel might be a good idea, especially , as the others have said, all around there will be impacted with the construction..
Paramount has a huge project going on in front right now that would make it hell for anyone wanting quiet, they have dug up a city block to make underground parking and a park, it will not be finished soon.
I would go for the Heathman or the Inn @ Northrup Station, a cute place, right on the streetcar line..they have kitchens, terraces and they are in a great location.
www.northrupstation.com
Someone posting here did stay at Riverplace but years ago and I believe a relative stayed there last year, this is what all their recommendations are based on. Things are changing in the city very quickly so last years news is indeed very old news.
The Deluxe is just a couple of blocks from my home, making it a couple of blocks from Whole Foods and the Pearl and all sorts of good things.
I would look into it..
Goodluck..gotta go back to my packing now
I live here and I have stayed at the 5th Ave Suites about a month in all. I love that hotel but with their own renovations starting soon, another hotel might be a good idea, especially , as the others have said, all around there will be impacted with the construction..
Paramount has a huge project going on in front right now that would make it hell for anyone wanting quiet, they have dug up a city block to make underground parking and a park, it will not be finished soon.
I would go for the Heathman or the Inn @ Northrup Station, a cute place, right on the streetcar line..they have kitchens, terraces and they are in a great location.
www.northrupstation.com
Someone posting here did stay at Riverplace but years ago and I believe a relative stayed there last year, this is what all their recommendations are based on. Things are changing in the city very quickly so last years news is indeed very old news.
The Deluxe is just a couple of blocks from my home, making it a couple of blocks from Whole Foods and the Pearl and all sorts of good things.
I would look into it..
Goodluck..gotta go back to my packing now
Oct 25th, 2006, 05:50 PM
#14
Because ***she**** kept pushing Riverplace, I actually spent a nicht there once when my first choice (5th Ave ) was booked up.
This was 1 or 2 years ago, and it was brand new from it's renovation. Very pretty, but the service, the dining and the parking situation totally sucke. So much so that the manager reunded my entire stay!
The location is not in downtown proper, so you really will need to use your car, but with major sewer work going on in front of it, it is a mess getting in and out of there. It's been about three months since I've been in Portland though, so maybe that's done now?
I'd choose any of the hotels reco'd above. Portland is a very compact town and best explored by walking. The max and the buses are efficient too.
My friend stayed at Vintage Plaza last week and was very happy there. I've stayed at the Marriott (downtown), Heathman, Benson, and walked through the Paramount. Still like the 5th Ave Suites the best!
Will the work actually be on 5th when you are there? the building sits between 4th and 5th, so it may not be a problem the whole time.
This was 1 or 2 years ago, and it was brand new from it's renovation. Very pretty, but the service, the dining and the parking situation totally sucke. So much so that the manager reunded my entire stay!
The location is not in downtown proper, so you really will need to use your car, but with major sewer work going on in front of it, it is a mess getting in and out of there. It's been about three months since I've been in Portland though, so maybe that's done now?
I'd choose any of the hotels reco'd above. Portland is a very compact town and best explored by walking. The max and the buses are efficient too.
My friend stayed at Vintage Plaza last week and was very happy there. I've stayed at the Marriott (downtown), Heathman, Benson, and walked through the Paramount. Still like the 5th Ave Suites the best!
Will the work actually be on 5th when you are there? the building sits between 4th and 5th, so it may not be a problem the whole time.
Oct 25th, 2006, 06:17 PM
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Thank you all!! We would prefer using public transportation as we will have been driving for 2 weeks prior to our Portland stay. We also prefer not to stay in a construction zone and the time line for the road work definitely includes the dates of our stay.
We will look at the hotels recommended, understanding that the Riverplace has not actually been recommended, only mentioned.
We will look at the hotels recommended, understanding that the Riverplace has not actually been recommended, only mentioned.
Oct 25th, 2006, 07:05 PM
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I can't recommend the Riverplace Hotel because I have never actually stayed there, but as I said I would recommend the location assuming construction there is done (not sure about next August). It's nice along the water there, with the marina and such plus the waterfront park. And now that the Portland streetcar stop is only about 2 blocks from the hotel and the streetcar takes you to the highlights of Portland, public transit is decent too.
Andrew
Andrew
